DUNFERMLINE Tennis Club's head coach Alan Russell has been named as Scotland's coach of the year for 2013.
The annual Tennis Scotland accolade was presented to him by president Christine Windmill at the weekend at Stirling University during the Scottish Coaches Conference.
Having taken up the role in 2010 after playing for the club since joining as a youngster, Alan has led the growth of the club's tennis programme to the extent that with 250 junior members, Dunfermline is now the club with the largest junior membership in the East of Scotland.
Alan’s enthusiasm and dedication to the junior section of the club has meant that as many as 140 juniors have attended for coaching on some Saturday mornings, while eight junior players represented East of Scotland or participated in squad play-offs for County Cup or Inter District competitions in age groups ranging from under-eight Red to under-18.
Ms Windmill said, "Alan is an experienced coach whose off-court skills of programme planning, administration and competition organising have added to exceptional success in participation for all ages." Dunfermline Tennis Club president, Charlie Gourley, said, "Alan has worked tirelessly for the club over the last three years, has revolutionised the tennis programme and enthused a generation of youngsters to play competitive tennis. He thoroughly deserves this award."
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